Ian Borg, Maltese Parliamentary Secretary for EU funds and the 2017 Presidency, said during a discussion on the priorities of the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU with the members of the European Parliament’s regional development (REGI) committee on Monday 23 January that he would like a differentiated, flexible approach for the future of cohesion policy after 2020.
He argued that a “one size fits all” approach could not address local and regional needs which are, by their very nature, diverse and specific. Borg, therefore, underlined that proportionality had to be paramount in audits and monitoring.
The Maltese stance is fully in tune with the position of the European Commission, which, indeed, intends to retain a proportion, not specifically allocated, of the next multiannual financial framework envelope for cohesion policy in order to keep some leeway (see EUROPE 11662).
Simplifying schemes, review of the omnibus regulation and improving communication with citizens on cohesion policy are further areas on which the Maltese Presidency wants to progress.
The MEPs on the committee generally welcomed Borg’s announcements, though they bemoaned the lack of explicit mention of cohesion policy in the Maltese priorities. In particular, they wanted to know the definite action the Presidency intended to take in this area. Their questions went unanswered by an evasive Borg.
A General Affairs Council will be devoted to cohesion policy on 25 April. On 8 June, an informal cohesion meeting will take place to prepare for the forum on cohesion policy at the end of June. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)